Guest Editorial: Zoe Zephyr
 | Author:
Julie Dooling, House District 70 Representative
MT State Representative |
Guest Editorial: Zoe Zephyr Julie Dooling, House District 70 Representative I have been asked to comment on the incident with Representative Zooey Zephyr and disruption/riot in the Gallery of the House of Representatives. Many things have been reported on the news - locally, nationally, and internationally. A few things were true, but unfortunately the media has failed to report many crucial details.
First, I would like to point out that Representative Zephyr has violated our rules of decorum more than once. The “blood on your hands” statement was the latest violation that upset legislators. Media outlets have been implying that this was a one-time violation, but people need to realize that these violations have been going on all session. While Rep. Zephyr was not required to apologize for the earlier infractions, this time an apology was requested, and the Representative refused. From the very beginning of our session, Rep. Zephyr has “poked the bear” multiple times. The very first week of the session, there was the issue of the use of the Women’s bathroom off the House Chamber, dubbed “Bathroom Gate,” which could have started the whole session off on a bad note. We refused to let this matter set the tone of the session and therefore it became a non-issue.
Throughout the session, when Rep. Zephyr spoke on a bill, it increasingly became a theatrical performance. I felt as if a disruption of some sort was Rep. Zephyr’s main objective since arriving Helena. Rep. Zephyr’s refusal to apologize resulted in the loss of speaking privileges on the House floor.
On the Monday of the disruption/riot in the Gallery, many felt that Rep. Zephyr had a couple of choices – either to calm the demonstrators, which a true Leader would have done; instead choosing to actively support, encourage and incite the behavior that led to ceasing the floor session, legislators being requested to leave the floor and law enforcement clearing the Gallery in riot gear.
Frankly, sitting at my desk on the floor, with the Gallery full of people you know are angry and emotional, was quite unsettling. When the disruption broke out, we watched law enforcement clear the gallery, protecting our staff, pages, and legislators. It truly broke my heart to have our pages, teenage students, watching in fear as the protestors yelled, stomped in the Gallery, threw trash onto the floor below and refused to be evacuated. Those actions that day stopped the process and duties for which I had been elected. The inability to finish our duties that day and the cancellation of floor debate for 2 more days cost Montana taxpayers’ money. My constituents were not being represented.
Due to the Representative encouraging the demonstrators’ disruptive actions, I supported the motion of the Majority Leader in removing Rep. Zephyr from the floor and only allowing participation via remote access. We could not condone this behavior from anyone nor let it become a daily occurrence for the remainder of the session. The incident was a well-planned event – why else would busloads of people have come to the Capitol? Go fund me accounts were established to pay fees for those arrested and for the Representative.
Let me assure you, Rep. Zephyr was not barred from the floor due to offensive words but barred due to actions inciting the disruption/riot in the Gallery, an egregious violation of the decorum of the House. Decorum is how we civility conduct business in committee and throughout the Capitol.
Apologies for actions and statements made, happen periodically. It helps to calm the tension, and no person is ever above an apology for offenses. I hope that this is an isolated incident. I hope that we have all learned valuable lessons so that history does not repeat itself.
Sincerely, Representative Julie Dooling HD 7
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